by Emily Snell | Mar 10, 2011 | News Slider
Harding University attracted national media attention last week when it blocked a website created by gay students. But Harding, affiliated with the churches of Christ and located in Searcy, Ark., isn’t the only Christian university to be confronted with the issue of gay rights in the last few months. Belmont University in December terminated the contract of the head women’s soccer coach, who is a lesbian; last month the university changed its non-discrimination policy to include “sexual orientation” and has officially recognized the first gay student organization. The issue has prompted discussion of homosexuality, sexual behavior and tolerance among the student body and even in the president’s office at Lipscomb. “Even though we want to be a Christian university, and we seek to be and we are, that doesn’t mean that topics like [sexuality] are inappropriate,” President Randolph Lowry told Lumination. “In fact, they’re very appropriate. And we believe that, in the context of a faith environment, they must be held.” Lipscomb’s student handbook points out that sexual contact, including but not restricted to intercourse, between students is a moral violation and is subject to discipline. Lowry emphasized that this code applies to any behavior—heterosexual or homosexual—and that all sexual contact outside the marriage relationship of husband and wife is “inappropriate and inconsistent with the community we seek to be.” The president said he does not foresee a change in policy but expects that the university will continue “being gracious, being in conversation, being of help and assistance.” Patrick McAnally, a law, justice and society major, said he thinks dialogue about the topic is one benefit of the Harding...
by Emily Snell | Mar 3, 2011 | News Slider
Last week, President Barack Obama instructed the Department of Justice to stop supporting the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. Lipscomb political science professors Marc Schwerdt and Dwight Tays shared their opinions on the issue. Tays, assistant professor of political science, said he thinks the president’s announcement doesn’t necessarily reflect Obama’s personal beliefs; rather, Tays said, it shows his official, political decision on the issue. “His personal stand is that he does not support same-sex marriages,” Tays said. “But one’s personal stand and official actions at times may be different.” Some consider the announcement to be a shift from Obama’s 2008 campaign stance on this issue. But Tays and Schwerdt said they think the announcement against DOMA is perfectly in line with his position. “His position is, I think, consistent with what he has always done,” said Schwerdt, assistant professor of political science and head of the department. “He has always taken a middle-of-the-road approach. He recognizes civil unions, but he doesn’t really want to recognize gay marriage.” Tays said he doesn’t think the president’s stance on DOMA will have much impact. He said that the act was “really an affirmation of heterosexual marriage.” “It really does not govern marriage,” Tays said. “It was more a political statement instead of a legal reality.” Both Tays and Schwerdt said that a federal statement about marriage doesn’t inherently carry great significance because states are most responsible for what happens regarding same-sex marriage. “I don’t think they’re going to mess with this issue,” Schwerdt said. He explained that, at this point...
by Emily Snell | Feb 25, 2011 | News Slider
The Human Docs’ screening of Inside Job brought an unusually large number of community members to campus Wednesday night. Ted Parks, one of the curators of Human Docs, said he thought the number of community members at Inside Job was more than most other screenings. Parks said that is what Human Docs is designed to do—bring the community and the university into discussion about social and economic justice issues. “Not only does it address issues of justice, it addresses structural issues of justice,” he said of the film. Parks said that the documentary “touches on the role of individual ethics” and “the role of government in securing justice.” The film, which explains how a long history of corruption led to the economic crisis in 2008, is nominated for an Academy Award. After the film, a Tennessee non-profit advocate and members of Lipscomb’s business faculty answered questions about greed in corporate business and government, the economic failure and the role of the individual in bringing change. Stewart Clifton, a policy advocate and attorney for non-profits, said that the corporate bankers who caused the economic failure did things that were “grossly immoral.” Clifton said that a renewed focus on personal integrity and industry regulation are necessary if America wants to avoid economic pitfalls in the future. Clifton agreed with Brad Reid, managing director of the Dean Institute, saying that individuals are crucial in creating a more honest system. He added that individuals working in community are what will truly advance positive action. “Private action affects the public as a whole,” Reid said. Reid explained that he thinks properly handling capitalism requires “careful and thoughtful”...
by Emily Snell | Feb 23, 2011 | News Slider
The Contributor is not just a street newspaper. For three Lipscomb seniors, it’s on-the-job training. Students in Dr. Jimmy McCollum’s Capstone in Journalism class are working with The Contributor, Nashville’s street newspaper, this semester. Funds generated by the newspaper help Nashville’s homeless and formerly homeless citizens. The three students—David Adams, Julie Williams and Allison Woods—attend staff meetings and produce written content for the printed version, as well as photography and video for the organization’s website. “It’s nice to be helping The Contributor,” said Williams, a multimedia production major from Anniston, Ala. “It’s a good cause. We’re helping put original content into The Contributor, which I know they appreciate.” Andrew Krinks, editor for the paper, said that his staff contacted several Nashville universities looking for students who might be interested in working with The Contributor. Starting with the March issue, he said that students from Lipscomb and TSU will be producing content for the paper. David Adams, a mass communications major from Memphis, said initially he wasn’t sure what the experience would be like, but has already learned from it. “After writing the first article, my interest in homelessness and poverty has really piqued,” Adams said. “These are people who have been successful. How easily their lives can change with a downfall in their life. It’s just crazy. It gives you a sense of thanksgiving and gratitude because you see how fortunate you are.” The Contributor, which is part of the North American Street Newspaper Association, sells about 100,000 copies per month, more than any other street newspaper in the country. The paper’s vendors can be found on sidewalks throughout...
by Emily Snell | Feb 22, 2011 | News Slider
The second film this semester in Lipscomb’s Human Docs series will feature Inside Job on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Ward lecture hall. Students who attend the event can receive one chapel credit. Inside Job is a documentary that details the economic meltdown of 2008, the United States’ greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. It has won or been nominated for at least seven awards. It is a nominee for this year’s Best Documentary at the Academy Awards, which will occur on Feb. 27. The film is written, produced, and directed by Charles Ferguson and is narrated by Matt Damon. It is rated PG-13 “for some drug and sex-related material.” The event is sponsored by Lipscomb’s College of Business and will include a panel discussion after the film with various guests including members of Lipscomb’s Dean...
